Photo and Caption by Li Liu/2016, National Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year, Beauty Beyond Disaster. The Soberanes Fire, located south of Carmel and Point Lobos, started Friday morning 07/22/2016. By Saturday night, the fire covered the entire mountain. The sky was illuminated by the golden glow of the forest fire. I hiked down towards a cliff by the beach. Because the wind was blowing south and slightly east, the sky to the southwest was clear. I witnessed the most spectacular sight I have ever seen, the Milky Way glowed above the raging wildfire. Beauty rose beyond disaster
Nature. It's been the inspiration for many a photographer, from the immortal Ansel Adams to Ami Vitale. Each year National Geographic hosts the Nature Photographer of the Year Contest with the mission of finding a snapdragon with a vision, like these artists, worth paying attention to.Today you can get a sneak peek at this year's entries in the categories Landscape, Environmental Issues, Action, and Animal Portraits. These f-stoppers are bringing their A-game because there's a lot on the line. The grand prize winner will get a 10-day trip for two to the Galápagos and two image portfolio reviews with National Geographic photo editors—a game-changing edge for any up and comer.Check out our favorite entries in the National Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year Award below—who knows, the next Ansel Adams could be right below the break.Submit your own work to the National Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year Contest here.Related:This Photographer Dressed Like a Panda to Snap Candids of Bears in the WildNational Geographic's Travel Photo Contest Just Got SurrealThese Exotic Animal Photos Are Literal Eye Candy
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